Flowers are an expensive part of a wedding and take away a significant portion of the budget with many couples often forgetting to budget for them at all. Total nightmare. Fear not, fancy florals don’t have to be as financially damaging as they seem to be. We have some tips for keeping your flower budget to a minimum.
When choosing flowers it’s worth remembering that roses are relatively affordable all year long, and carnations are a very cost effective alternative that can create the same effect when used properly.
Choosing flowers that are in season and you will keep costs lower. Remember to be flexible. Peonies are gorgeous but if they’re not in season, you’ll have to get them from abroad and this will seriously hike up the price.
Having said that, don’t be afraid to explore the option of slightly more expensive flowers. Pricey flowers such as peonies and hydrangeas may cost more per unit, but because they fill out so much more of the flower arrangement, you will need less. This could bring down the overall cost when you’re done buying them.
When thinking about all the places that need flowers, think about where your guests will spend the most time and put the majority of your flower budget to that, There’s no point in spending 75% of your budget on ceremony flowers if you’re only going to be there for a couple of hours. However, don’t be shy about reusing your ceremony flowers for the reception; don’t let them go to waste.
Use cost effective fillers. Bear grass can be striking, whereas baby’s breath, though relatively cheap, require a lot to “fill” vases and could bring up the budget more than you might expect.
The taller the flower, the bigger the cost. Opt for low, intimate centrepieces to save on cost.
Incorporate candles to create romantic ambiance without suffering the cost of filling even more vases with beautiful blooms.
- Jenny Darmody
Image credits: Roses: Imogen Xiana | Peony bouquet: Brooke Images | Greenery: Sargeant Creative | Tall vase: Veronica Varos Photography | Candles: Christine Farah Photography